Black fashion designers have long been underrepresented — they account for just one percent of designers covered by Vogue Runwaytoday — and underappreciated in the fashion industry. Take Ann Lowe as a case in point: the couturier was a "best-kept secret" among upper-echelon society women in the 1950s and '60s, and even designed Jacqueline Kennedy's famous wedding dress — though the future First Lady credited the creation at the time to a "colored woman." Lowe's work even caught the attention of Christian Dior (they eventually met in Paris), but she was still quite unknown when she died in 1981.

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Lowe is just one of several influential designers featured in The Museum at FIT's upcoming "Black Fashion Designers" exhibition, which will focus on the impact of over 60 designers of African descent from the 1950s to present. The late 1960s and '70s are a particular focus, because it was a disco-dominated era during which black designers such as Stephen Burrows and Scott Barrie set the tone. The exhibit will also demonstrates how African and diasporic designers have interpreted traditional African textiles and art in their work.

The exhibit is not confined in scope by its title, however, and will explore the influence of black models, too. A section of the exhibit is dedicated to barrier-breaking faces and events such as the Ebony Fashion Fair and "The Battle of Versailles." Models Naomi Sims, Veronica Webb and Liya Kebede each chose specific dresses to represent them, and a short film featuring a conversation lead by Robin Givhan will accompany the pieces. The Washington Post fashion critic isn't the only influential journalist lending her voice and authority to the exhibit. Vogue's André Leon Talley stars in another short film, in conversation with designers Reese and Mimi Plange.

"Black Fashion Designers," organized by Ariele Elia, assistant curator of Costume and Textiles, and Elizabeth Way, curatorial assistant, will be on view at The Museum at FIT from Dec. 6 through May 16.

This New York Fashion Week delivers 13 brands–with aesthetics ranging from avant-garde and edgy to classic and couture-inspired–being helmed (or co-helmed) by African American creatives. We are excited to see these individuals defying the odds many face as black designers in New York. Click through the slideshow to check them out.